§ 13. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to recent increases in the duties on British motor cars entering France; and whether he will make representations with regard thereto?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMParticulars of the new French import duties on motor cars were published in the Board of Trade Journal of 1st May. These duties are on a specific basis, whilst the former rates were ad valorem. I cannot say how far the new system involves any increase of duty on typical British cars, and I have not been approached on the subject by British manufacturers, though particulars were published in January of the rates then under consideration, and these were on the whole higher. The question of representations to the French Government has not, therefore, arisen.
§ Sir A. POWNALLCan the right hon. Gentleman say what bearing these altered duties have on the suggested Tariff Truce?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes. These duties come within the category of proposals prior to the 24th March, and, in fact, they were specifically excluded in the Debate at Geneva.
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that he had better forget all about the Tariff Truce in his own interest?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo; on the contrary, I think it ought to be very carefully remembered.
§ Captain PETER MACDONALDIs it not a fact that these duties which have been imposed by various Governments were precipitated by the Tariff Truce proposals?